Salary comparison
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators: Kahului vs Chicago
Kahului, HI pays about 21.2% more for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators on paper — $124,990 vs $103,100. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Kahului comes out ahead by $21,890 a year in real buying power.
Kahului, HI
$124,990
$69,510
$129,110
$60.09
100
$124,990/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
Chicago, IL
$103,100
$78,580
$117,350
$49.57
100
$103,100/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $21,890 a year (21.2%) in favor of Kahului. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Kahului runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; Chicago sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Kahului is the better deal by $21,890 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from Chicago to Kahului for this role, the raise needs to beat 21.2% to come out ahead after living costs. Anything below that and you are earning more on paper but keeping less.
Common questions
Where do operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn more, Kahului or Chicago?
Kahului pays $124,990 on median — about 21.2% more than Chicago ($103,100). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
Kahului. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, Kahului gives you roughly$124,990 of real buying power versus $103,100 in the other city.